For non-permanent residents/ visitors: A driver’s license from any country, bearing a photograph and the signature of the holder, will be accepted in Namibia if the license is in English, or has a sworn translation into English attached to it.

For permanent residents/ long-term visitors: As soon as permanent residence has been obtained, the holder thereof must apply for a Namibian driver’s license, within six months from the date of receiving permanent residence. Overseas visitors must be in possession of a valid International Driving Permit.

Vehicle documentation:

Certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the driver

If the driver is not traveling with the vehicle:

Letter of authority from the registered owner

If the vehicle is a rental:

Letter of authority from the rental company

If the vehicle is still subject to financing:

Letter of authority from the financier (must include dates of travel)

Other valuables:

All cellphones, laptops, cameras and similar valuables have to be declared

Prepare the following for each valuable before departure to save time at the border:

Name/ description

Serial number

Estimated value

ZA sticker

Cash for border fees

Need to know

Driving from Cape Town to Windhoek you are most likely to pass through the Viooldrift/ Noordoewer border post. We recommend making a quick pitstop in Springbok (about an hour before the border) – to fill up, draw money and buy your ZA sticker if you forgot it.

We went through countless permanent roadblocks in Namibia (often times waved through by officials too hot to vacate the comfort of their shaded tents). On the odd occasion that we did get stopped, we were asked for our passports, driver licence and the relevant forms received from the border. It is best to keep these in the front of the car for easy access.

Namibian time is usually GMT +2 (like South Africa). But in the winter (from the first Sunday of April through to the first Sunday in September), Namibia practices day light savings and resets clocks by one hour – changing to GMT +1. Bear this in mind when driving from SA and planning to cross the border at smaller border posts.

Namibia Border Posts and Times

Country

Namibian Name

Local Name

Opening Time

Closing Time

South Africa

Oranjemund

Alexander Bay

6am

10pm

South Africa

Rosh Pinah

Sendlingsdrift

8am

4pm

South Africa

Noordoewer

Vioolsdrift

24 hours

24 hours

South Africa

Velloorsdrift

Onseepkans

8am

4.30pm

South Africa

Ariamsvlei

Nakop

24 hours

24 hours

South Africa

Klein-Menasse

Rietfontein

8am

4.30pm

South Africa

Welverdiend

Mata-Mata

8am

4.30pm

Botswana

Buitepos

Mamuno

7am

11pm

Botswana

Tsumkwe

Dobe

7am

5.30pm

Botswana

Mohembo

Shakawe

6am

6pm

Botswana

Ngoma

Kasane

7am

6pm

Botswana

Kazungula Point

Kazungula Point

6am

6pm

Zambia

Wenela

Sesheke

6am

6pm

Angola

Rundu

Calai

6am

6pm

Angola

Katwitwi

Cabo

6am

6pm

Angola

Oshikango

Santa Clara

8am

7pm

Angola

Omahenene

Calueque

8am

7pm

Angola

Ruacana

Ruacana

8am

7pm

Save the checklist?

You will find the Namibia border checklist and loads of other useful information in our Free Namibia Travel Guide. It is packed with more than 100 pages of amazing photography to inspire your trip and loads of tips to make your travel dreams come true.